What you need to know
A Dec. 16 news release from RRISD states that district administrators are considering how to implement the new curriculum, Bluebonnet Learning. Bluebonnet will replace the Amplify, Carnegie and Eureka curricula for elementary school-level language arts and reading, math for kindergarten through eighth grade and algebra 1, as previously reported by Community Impact.
In November, the new learning materials were approved by the State Board of Education, but not without controversy among board members. As previously reported by Community Impact, critics say the inclusion of Bible stories in the curricula are inappropriate for public schools and could isolate students with different religious beliefs, while proponents of the curriculum assert it will help close student achievement gaps and reduce teacher workloads.
What are the options?
School districts are able to modify Bluebonnet Learning materials to suit their needs, and RRISD administrators are considering how best to modify the reading and language arts curriculum to suit students in the district.
Per the release, this modification could include removing Bible-based lessons and activities, or increasing the overall diversity of characters and content of stories covered.
The math curriculum does not include examples drawing from Christianity, according to the district.
In the release, it is stated that the district will slowly implement the math curriculum beginning with second, third, seventh and eighth grades in the 2025-26 school year.
What parents should know
School districts also receive additional funding support to purchase the learning materials. The amount of funding provided per student for districts who choose to implement the curriculum was increased by $60 per student to purchase and print them. Districts currently receive around $171 per student to purchase textbooks.
Why now?
The December release from the district clarifies its position on the new curriculum, stating that the inclusion of biblical and Christianity-based stories have caused some confusion and controversy among district families and staff.
What's next?
A district committee is reviewing potential changes to the literary components of the curriculum, and will provide recommended modifications to ensure the curriculum is inclusive and representative of the RRISD community, according to the release.
